Day 14 - Westfield Shopping Centre

I had to dodge security guards to get this, but did manage to!  :D  Heidi and I went to the marvellous Westfield Shopping Centre today.  There are these marvellous chandeliers, with brilliant surrounds.

Day 13 - Isla and her hat - 30 October 2010

This didn't get posted on the day - we had Heidi staying over - so I was having too much fun to get around to putting this up.  But I did take this one of Isla and her marvellous hat earlier in the day!

The white spot that appeared on the lens is irritating - but something to watch for in the future.

Day 12 - Write Me - 29 October 2010

I was 'chatting' online with my sister Sharon yesterday, as I posted my photo of the day.  My nephew Joe (aged 14) was peering over her shoulder and saw the photo.  His comment went along the lines of 'is that the slot where you post letters?'

Cue much hilarity from Sharon and I. It did give the inspiration for today's photo though!  Joe - here is the slot where you post letters!

Day 11 - Call Me! - 28 October 2010

Well, I am in London after all, and I could resist a shot of the traditional phone box!

It's Thursday.  It took me a while this morning to realise it wasn't Friday.  It was a bit crushing when that did sink in.  But tomorrow is Friday, and the day after is Saturday.  Excitement!

Day 10 - Flowers - 27 October 2010

Well, not too much I can say about these, except they are lovely, aren't they?  I like the macro setting on my camera.

In other news, it's warmed up today in London town.  I appreciate that!

Day 9 - Inside St Pancras station - 26 October 2010

It was raining most of the day today, so it had to be an inside shot as neither my camera or my clothes were of the waterproof variety.

This is of part of the incredible St Pancras ceiling.

Day 8 - Derelict Building - 25 October 2010

The area around Kings Cross rail station is full of contrasts.  The station is under major reconstruction to modernise it, bringing it in line with St Pancras station next door.  Nearby is the British Library and a series of nice hotels.  However, just across the road are buildings like this, which must have fabulous history, but now are left empty.  It seems a shame for that to happen in what should be such a vibrant area.

Day 7 - Lights at Alexandra Palace - 24 October 2010

For the first time in a while, Sarah wasn't working on a Sunday, so we headed out to Alexandra Palace - which is a fabulous place, not too far away on the train.  I took a lot of photos, as I would normally on the outing, so it appeared that picking one for today's 'photo of the day' was going to be a little harder than normal.  However, right before we left I did see this one opportunity, and took it - it made the selection a lot easier.  It's playing with lights really!

Day 6 - Coffee Club - 23 October 2010

It's a weekly tradition - to meet for coffee on Saturday's.  So it seemed appropriate to take a photo of my wonderful Flat White.  If you've not tried one of these, I highly recommend it.  But not at Costa - where the 2 times I've tried it, it's more of a latte, rather than a short drink with only a little milk.

Day 5 - St Pancras Station - 22 October 2010

St Pancras station caught me by surprise when I first saw it.  Being used to stations such as Euston, which are boring and plain, I wasn't really prepared for a station to look like that.  I suppose I hadn't realised the importance that Victorians placed on the railways.  In the 1960s it was scheduled to be demolished.  I can only say I'm glad they didn't.  Here's just one corner of it - I'll take more of the rest of it on other days, but it really is stunning.

Day 4 - New Barnet Rail Station - 21 October 2010

Upon leaving the house this morning, I felt a sense of relief that I no longer drive to work - the car windshields around were thick with ice.  What I failed to consider was that the wonderful (sarcasm) First Capital Connect trains would also break at the first sign of a frost.  I was at the station for nearly an hour (no indoor waiting areas) waiting for a train - whereas normally they run every 10 minutes or so in the rush hour!

Realising this meant that my lunch break was now non-existent I took my photo at the station.  It's not the best place for photography, but with a bit of help from an editing program, I think I got a good result.

Day 3 - Russell Square Fountain - 20 October 2010

I am fortunate enough to work close to Russell Square - which consists of a smallish park with a fountain in the centre.  It's a lovely place to get away from your desk and enjoy being surrounded by trees.

Again, I probably wouldn't have gone out this lunchtime - it was a gorgeous sunny day, but the temperature wasn't getting into the double digits (at least not in Celsius!) and sure enough after 15 minutes in the park I was ready to be back in my somewhat heated office.  I haven't yet mastered photography with gloves on, but suspect I'm going to have to.

Here's today's effort - the fountain.  As it was so sunny, but the fountain is surrounded by trees, it was interesting getting the right angle to capture it all, without being too sunny or shady.  I think I got it.

Day 2 - The Institute of Education - 19 October 2010

It has long been my belief that the building in which I work is one of the ugliest in London.  Yet taking this photo today made me thankful for the trees outside, which at least soften the blocks of concrete it has been constructed with.

It's a nightmare of a building to work in, but with the green of the trees, and some reflected blue sky from the distance, it doesn't look too bad.  On a less cloudy day I imagine it would have been a better shot.  I can't wait to take one in the middle of winter when there's no trees, so you can appreciate what a monstrosity this place is!

It's only the second day, but I'm enjoying this - it made me go out at lunchtime where I would have possibly just stayed in my office, and I'm coming up with lots of things that I want to capture.

Day 1 - The beginning - 18 October 2010

Having heard of similiar challenges, I've set myself the goal of taking at least 1 photo per day for a year.  I know my tendancy to start projects and not complete them, thus the blog - it's the only way I can try to ensure I actually continue doing this is to start a blog, and record my efforts.

Hopefully over the course of the year I'll be able to develop my photography skills.  Right now, I tend to snap away every now and again in social situations, without too much consideration.  By forcing myself to take at least one photo a day, I'll have to think more carefully about what to take - especially as most of the time I'll just be going about my daily routine, and so not seeing 'new' things to photograph. But just on my way home this evening, after making the decision today to do this, I saw so many things differently and was wishing I had my camera with me.  From now on I'll be carrying it around!

So here's the first effort. I thought that it was a little appropriate to photograph some of my favourite photos - these with a water theme.